Random Sports Reflections

Here's some random thoughts and reflections running through my head...

*Congrats to Chicago White Sox pitcher Philip Humber on throwing a perfect game on Saturday....even though it was against the Mariners and there was a sketchy called third strike to end the game by the ump.  Humber is a strong follower of Jesus so it's always nice to see a fellow believer do well.

*On a more positive sports fan note, the Predators won their opening round series 4-1 against the Detroit Red Wings.  It's the first time they've beaten their rivals in the playoffs and hopefully that'll be the start to a deep run in the playoffs.

*Yesterday I went to a college baseball game on the campus of the University of South Carolina Upstate.  They were playing the Jacksonville Dolphins to end the three game series that the Spartans had won the first two games.  Let me set the stage for you, it was the bottom of 8th inning and the Spartans were down 4-1.  When it got to be the top of the 9th inning, the score was 12-4 USC Upstate with the lead.  In the span of one half inning, there were 11 runs scored (all unearned) on like 5 hits, 2 errors, 2 batters hit by a pitch, 3 walks, and a passed ball.  Along with the starter, there were 4 pitchers used in the innning including one who didn't even record an out.  Wild ending to say the least.

*The incident that blew up on Twitter yesterday afternoon was Ron Artest (aka Metta World Peace) throwing an elbow to James Harden of That Team Which is Located in Oklahaoma City.  I wasn't watching the game because it was the Lakers and that other team, two teams in which I have no interest in watching but I did hear about the incident and saw a brief lowlight this morning on the TV.  Apparently, after a dunk (I believe) by Artest, he decided out of nowhere to give a little elbow check to Harden who was just standing there.  Harden has a concussion and it's uncertain when he'll be back.  Artest, for the moment, is not suspended but that's just a formality that he will be.  Artest has a history of on the court incidents, including the infamous Brawl in the Palace in Detroit back when he was with the Indiana Pacers.  He has a lot of rage inside of him and some thought that he had gotten over that with the whole name change thing.    But ultimately, change needs to take place in the heart and not just by a name.  That only comes through relationship with Jesus.  Hopefully, that will happen for Artest.

Random Sports Reflections on Leap Day

Today is Leap Day, otherwise known as my birthday.  Hope all of you celebrate Leap Day accordingly and responsibly.

*I'm getting excited for March Madness.  Even though the first part of the college baskeball season I really didn't keep up with things, I have in the last month or so.  Living in a city with pretty decent mid-major schools (USC Upstate, Wofford), I've got to watch some pretty good basketball.  I'm hoping both teams win their conference tourneys and make the Big Dance.  They have the ability to if things fall the right way.  Emphasis on the "fall the right way".

*Baseball season is about to get going as well.  It's weird not living in an MLB city for the first time since 2004 (Although Atlanta is only a few hours away).  I'm excited to see how the Royals will do.  They might actually do something this year hopefully.

*It's cool that in pro sports there are guys at the highest level that are living out their faith for Jesus and it's protrayed (mostly) in a positive manner in the media.  From Tim Tebow, to Jeremy Lin, to Clayton Kershaw, there are lots of examples.  I hope that trend will continue.  It's good to hear positive stories about athletes than negative ones.